FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 266, 6 August 1937, Page 10

FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

The fact that there has been established a body known as the Organisation of National Security was revealed by the Prime Minister in an interview on Wednesday. Mr. Savage said that the organisation, in addition to co-ordinating all branches of defence, was concerned with coping with situations that might arise through an epidemic, or an earthquake disaster, or similar unforeseen events requiring instant emergency measures. The principle of setting up such a body is thoroughly sound but the idea is by no means new. It was, in fact, actively canvassed after the disastrous Hawke’s Bay earthquake of 1931, and the first steps were taken then. Mr. Savage’s announcement is stated in general terms. In a statement in Christchurch last month, the Minister of Defence said that the proposals for national security were nothing new; that the worx of the organisation had in fact been in operation for the last two or three years. This body, said Mr. Jones, had been investigating the problem of supplies in war of all kinds of commodities and a special sub-committee had been appointed to deal with oil fuel and lubricant. He also said that some 20 Government departments were represented on the committee. The first duty of the citizen is ,to do his share in maintaining the security of the State. On this issue there should be no division of opinion and the Government can depend on full support for any measures designed effectively to promote national security. It is right that the Prime Minister should take the public into his confidence concerning the duties of the citizens in this connection. It is realised, of course, that in certain matters it would be against the public interest for too much detail to be broadcast. Full and effective co-operation in emergencies, however, would be impossible unless the citizens know what they are expected to do when an emergency arises. In New Zealand serious epidemics are not common. All must hope that war crises and disastrous earthquakes will be as infrequent. But there is no useful end to be served in blinking the fact that the Dominion may at any time be faced with a national crisis. We have had a severe lesson in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake. The great value of the Organisation of National Security will be that it should be able to function instantly to avoid confusion, and worse, When the emergency arises. Apart from the possible large casualty lists on such occasions there is the dislocation of public services and communications to be overcome. A central authority having power to take complete control could do much to alleviate suffering and hardship and generally lighten the blow to any stricken community. In England many interests are discussing measures to be taken for dealing with the possibility of depressed conditions following the easing-off of the rearmament boom. We ought to be thinking about that,'too. But the paramount question of the moment,. as it is in Britain, is to have the nation’s resources fully and efficiently organised for defence in case of war. The Government must face this question with courage and determination. It need not fear lack of support if the measures it proposes are adequate. Information on this particular question has been promised from time to time recently, but the Government has seemed somewhat diffident about taking the plunge and rising the fire of criticism from certain quarters. It is the public interest as a whole, however, that is at stake. The statement will be awaited with interest.